money North Carolina vs. UCLA picks, predictions, odds: Who wins Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament game?
No. 8 seed North Carolina and No. 4 seed UCLA face off on Friday in an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game.
The game is scheduled for 6:39 p.m. MST and can be seen on CBS.
Who will win the game?
Check out these odds, picks and predictions for the contest.
UCLA is a 1.5-point favorite in the game.
It is -135 on the money line and North Carolina is +110.
The over/under for the game is set at 141.5 points.
NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 picks, predictions, odds:
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Sportsbook Wire: UCLA 74, North Carolina 70
It writes: The Bruins score just 1.7 more points per game (73.6) than the Tar Heels give up (71.9). UCLA is 12-7-1 against the spread and 17-2 overall when scoring more than 71.9 points. When North Carolina allows fewer than 73.6 points, it is 9-5 against the spread and 14-0 overall.
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Fansided: Take North Carolina with the points vs. UCLA
Iain MacMillan writes: "UNC's biggest weakness all season has been its defense, but that's exactly where they've thrived since the start of the NCAA Tournament. The Tarheels' opponent average shooting percentage this season is 42.8%, but over their last three games, that number has dropped to 37.4%, which proves just how dominant they've been in March Madness. They should be able to keep that momentum up against a UCLA team that ranks 146th this season in effective field goal percentage. That is especially the case considering UCLA keeps the majority of its offense down low, ranking 48th in two point shot rate, which will play right into UNC's strength. This game has all the makings of must-watch tv, but I give the edge to UNC so I'll gladly back them getting 2.5 points."
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Top Bet: UCLA 74, North Carolina 71
It writes: "UCLA barged into the Sweet 16 round by taming the Saint Mary’s Gaels in the second round, 72-56. Both teams are great defensively, but the Bruins simply showed whose stop unit is better, limiting the Gaels to just 40.8 percent shooting from the field. And they paired it up with an efficient attack that produced 56.6 percent shooting and 16/19 performance from the foul line. Tyger Campbell led UCLA with 16 points, while three other Bruins starters scored at least 14 points, including Jaime Jaquez Jr., who had 15 markers. Jacquez hurt his ankle in the Saint Mary’s Gaels, but with plenty of time to rest up, he can be expected to show up on Friday versus the Tar Heels. As good as North Carolina’s offense has been, Mick Cronin’s Bruins have what it takes to shut down Bacot and company. After all, the Bruins are 14th in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency and have held their last two opponents to lower than 48.0 effective field goal percentage."
Sports Chat Place: Go with North Carolina with the points against UCLA
Randy Chambers writes: "The UCLA Bruins are going to be favored because they’ve been the more consistent team up to this point, but we’re getting a free bucket with a UNC team that’s playing its best ball of the season. The North Carolina Tar Heels did not only knockoff Baylor in a game they controlled early, but they’ve won 14 of their last 17 games overall and are allowing 39.5 percent shooting in their last five games. UNC has found its footing and looking like a scary and more than respectable eighth seed. I’m not going to step in front of the hot Tar Heels. Give me the bucket."
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Betting Pros: UCLA will cover against North Carolina
Jason Radowitz writes: "On the glass, UCLA will struggle on the offensive end, but the limited turnovers will help UCLA get attempts. With UNC earning just 14.1% turnovers and allowing teams to shoot 34.1% from deep, the Bruins should also have some success from deep, despite the Bruins not taking a lot of threes this season. On the other hand, the Tar Heels shoot 36.5% from deep and 50.9% from inside the arc. North Carolina is a much better free-throw shooting team, too, hitting 77% from the line. The Tar Heels are earning 30.7% on the glass, but UCLA is holding teams to 24.9% offensive rebounds. The Bruins also hold teams to 32.1% from deep and 47.3% from inside the arc. There’s a good chance UCLA earns more stops than UNC in the grand scheme of things. The Bruins are just more complete on both ends of the court. Therefore, I’m siding with UCLA."
ESPN: UCLA has a 69.1% chance to win
The site's Basketball Power Index gives North Carolina a 30.9% chance to win the game.
More: March Madness odds: Gonzaga, Kansas, Arizona favorites in 2022 men's NCAA Tournament
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: North Carolina vs. UCLA picks, predictions, odds NCAA Tournament game
